Nigeria – Sudan Preview: Eagles seek redemption against Falcons of Jediane

Though both side made false starts in their bid to reach the championship in Morocco, with Nigeria’s Stephen Keshi under intense pressure going into the clash at the Abuja Stadium having failed to record a win in their last three outings.

While the African champions boast of a point in their campaign so far, Sudan got off the mark following their 1-0 victory against the hosts at the Municipal Stadium in Khartoum on Saturday with the lone strike coming off the head of Bakri Elmadina.

Mohammed Abdalla’s side still basking in the euphoria of their first win over the Eagles in many decades come into this game full of optimism and will be seeking a double against Keshi’s team. They are four points off South Africa who lead the group with 7 points from three games.

Nigeria, meanwhile, are without a competitive victory since beating Bosnia 1-0 in a World Cup game in June 21, 2013 and not minding their disapproving outing in Khartoum still enter Wednesday’s  match as heavy favourites, but that will not worry Keshi's opposite number, who knows exactly what to expect.

A win for the home team will see them leapfrog Sudan in the third place while hoping that the South Africa – Congo encounter end at least in a draw to still nurse an ambition of defending their title in Morocco.